Multi-effect heat-pump for heating and cooling

Abstract

A multi-effect heat pump comprises at least three pairs of exchange units A, B; C, D; E, F, i.e. units which operate as generator, condenser, evaporator or absorber in at least two interconnected heat-pump circuits. Each pair operates in a different pressure range and the exchange units of each pressure range operate in different temperature ranges. An exchange unit (B) operating as condenser in an upper pressure range is adapted to deliver heat of condensation to a first exchange unit (C) operating as a second generator in a medium pressure range, and a second exchange unit (E) operating as absorber in a lower pressure range is adapted to deliver heat of absorption to a second exchange unit (D) operating in said medium pressure range. Means (84, 160, 166) are provided for selectively enabling and disabling alternatively the transfer of heat to said first exchange unit (C) or to said second exchange unit (D) to adapt the operation of the heat pump to varying conditions and demands.

I claim: 
     
       1. A heat-pump comprising a first working fluid (WF) loop including first means (A) operating in a first, relatively high pressure range and arranged to receive heat for producing WF vapor of relatively high pressure, and absorbent partially depleted of WF, by heating absorbent relatively rich in WF;   second means (B) coupled to receive said relatively high pressure WF vapor to produce liquid WF and heat of condensation;   third means (F) coupled to receive heat and liquid WF and a relatively low pressure to produce relatively low pressure WF vapor, and   fourth means (E) coupled to receive said relatively low pressure WF vapor and relatively low pressure depleted absorbent to produce absorbent relatively rich in WF, and heat of absorption, and   fifth means (42, 44) to return absorbent relatively rich in WF at said first, relatively high pressure to said first means (A);     a second WF loop in WF fluid connection with said first loop and including sixth means (C) operating in a second, relatively high pressure range which is lower than said first relatively high pressure range and connected by absorbent conduit means to said first and fourth means (A, E), said sixth means comprising heat-exchange means (158) adapted to be coupled to a heat transfer circuit   seventh means (D) in WF vapor communication with said sixth means,   first fluid connection means (28) for supplying liquid WF from said seventh means (D) to said third means (F), and   second fluid connection means (38) for supplying absorbent from said sixth means (C) to said fourth means (E);   first heat transfer means adapted to transfer heat from said second means (B) to said sixth means (C);   second heat transfer means (160) adapted to transfer heat from said fourth means (E) to said sixth means (D), and   eighth means (84, 166) adapted to selectively disabling at least partially at least one of said heat transfer means.     
     
     
       2. A heat-pump comprising first generator means (A) operating in a first, relatively high pressure range and arranged to receive heat for producing working fluid (WF) vapor of relatively high pressure and absorbent partially depleted of WF by heating an absorbent/WF system;   first condenser means (B) coupled to receive said relatively high pressure working fluid vapor to produce liquid working fluid and heat of condensation;   second generator means operating in a second pressure range below said first pressure range and coupled to receive absorbent and heat to produce WF vapor of a pressure in said second pressure range;   second condenser means (D) coupled to receive said WF vapor from said second generator, to produce WF liquid and heat of condensation; said second condenser comprising means (50) for removing said heat of condensation;   first evaporator means (F) connected to receive heat and WF liquid and heat to produce WF vapor of a pressure in a third pressure range below said second pressure range;   first absorber means (E) coupled to receive WF vapor from said first evaporator (F) and depleted absorbent to produce absorbent rich in WF, and heat of absorption;   second evaporator means (H) operating in a fourth pressure range between said second and third pressure ranges and connected to receive liquid WF from at least one of said condensers (B, D) and heat to produce WF vapor of a pressure in said fourth pressure range;   second absorber means (G) connected to receive WF vapor from said second evaporator (H), and absorbent;   means (158) for withdrawing heat from said second absorber means (G);   means (42, 44) for returning absorbent relatively rich in WF into said first and second generators (A, C);   first heat transfer means for transferring heat from said first condenser (B) to said second generator (C);   second heat transfer means (60) for transferring heat from said first absorber (E) to said second evaporator (H); and   means (84, 66) for selectively disabling at least partially at least one of said heat transfer means.   
     
     
       3. A heat-pump as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a compression heat-pump circuit (K2, G') coupled to said means operating in said first, relatively high pressure range. 
     
     
       4. A heat-pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means (A) comprises a generator; said second means (B) comprises a first condenser; said third means (F) comprises a first evaporator; said fourth means (E) comprises a first absorber; said sixth means (C) being adapted to operate alternatively as second generator or second absorber; and said seventh means (D) being adapted to operate alternatively as second condenser or second evaporator. 
     
     
       5. A heat-pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fourth (E) and said seventh (D) means comprise first and second heat-exchange means (48, 50) and said means (294) is provided to connect said first and second heat-exchange means alternatively into a heat transfer circuit for disposing heat generated in said fourth and seventh means, or into a closed heat transfer circuit (260) to provide said second heat transfer means. 
     
     
       6. A heat-pump as claimed in claim 2 additionally comprising a compression heat-pump circuit (K2, G') coupled to said means operating in said first, relatively high pressure range.